Campaigners are delighted as No. 95 bus is saved

Residents in Pendle are celebrating after it was revealed the local No. 95 bus service has been saved.

Campaigners swung into action to save the much valued service when Lancashire County Council proposed axing all subsidised bus services.

Lancashire County Council announced in November that all subsided bus services would be withdrawn from April 1st but the level of objection to the proposal prompted a rethink at County Hall.

Local bus users, including Nathan McCollum, started a campaign to save the Colne to Burnley Hospital via Nelson service.

The No. 95 services are the only services that serve the North Valley Estate in Colne and it is the only means of transport for many residents.

Nathan said: “When I heard the bus was going to be withdrawn I wanted to do something about it.

“I use the bus to get to/from college and I know lots of elderly people use it as their only means of transport to get into Colne town centre.

“I contacted Coun. Joe Cooney to ask for help and we decided to start a petition.

“The bus company, Holmeswood, were great they allowed us to put a copy of the petition on every bus.

“In just a couple of weeks we managed to get over 630 people to sign it. I’m sure we didn’t launch the campaign the service would have been cut so I’m really pleased that we have been able to make a difference.”

Vivary Bridge ward’s Coun. Cooney said: “When Nathan contacted me I was keen to help his campaign as much as possible, I’d already had several residents contact me to raise their concerns about the loss of the service.

“The campaign group put forward a very sensible proposal, they accepted the County Council needed to save money but their argument was the service could be amended and still provide savings for the County Council.

“On top of that we would have £300,000 for the new Garden Centre in Colne and that would contribute towards the cost of providing the service.

“I’m delighted the County Council have listened and in particular the members of the Bus Working Group which was established to look at all the options. While the service won’t be exactly the same at least we will still have a regular bus service.”

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